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 05 September 2008 10:54 BST

Cassini returns details from Saturn's Geyser moon

Thursday, 27 Mar 2008 10:22
Heat map of the south polar region of Saturn's moon Enceladus
A close fly-by of Saturn's moon Enceladus by the Cassini spacecraft has revealed surprising findings about the moon's composition.

Data shows that the moon is very active, hot and full of water vapour and organic materials.

Scientists studying Cassini's feedback say the organic materials "taste and smell" like some of those found in a comet.

Volatile gases, water vapour, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and organic materials were about 20 times denser than anticipated.

Heat maps of the moon's surface also show higher temperatures than previously known in the south polar region.

Hunter Waite, principal investigator for the Cassini ion and neutral mass spectrometer, said it was a "completely unexpected surprise" to find the chemistry of Enceladus resembles that of a comet.

"To have primordial material coming out from inside a Saturn moon raises many questions on the formation of the Saturn system," he added.

"Enceladus is by no means a comet. Comets have tails and orbit the sun, and Enceladus' activity is powered by internal heat while comet activity is powered by sunlight. Enceladus' brew is like carbonated water with an essence of natural gas."

Dennis Matson, Cassini project scientist at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, added: "Enceladus has got warmth, water and organic chemicals, some of the essential building blocks needed for life.

"We have quite a recipe for life on our hands, but we have yet to find the final ingredient, liquid water, but Enceladus is only whetting our appetites for more."

At its closest approach, Cassini was only 30 miles from Enceladus. When it flew through the plumes it was 120 miles from the moon's surface.

Cassini will next flyby Enceladus in August.
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